Now that I've had a good cry after hearing Edmonton Oilers assistant GM Kevin Prendergast admit the team has "given up hope" in its pursuit of Dany Heatley, I will wring out my notepad and try to move on.

So, rest assured, will GM Steve Tambellini. Like Jonathan Willis, I'm not of the mind Tambellini has curled up in the fetal position muttering "Dany, Dany, Dany," paralyzed into inaction after being spurned. Not even close.

I don't believe that, while there remains a need for a finisher on left wing alongside Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky, the Oilers can't fill the other holes they had in the line-up last season and make up for the devastating additional losses of Kyle Brodziak. Ales Kotalik and Liam Reddox.

Nor do I buy the argument Tambellini, Pat Quinn and Tom Renney will have a problem with Dustin Penner, Andrew Cogliano and Ladislav Smid in terms of mending fences.

Yes, it would've been a bonus to dump Penner's contract, but I can't believe he won't be better, even sulking, under Quinn and Renney than he was after being repeatedly shown up and mis-used by Craig MacTavish.

Likewise, I see finding a way to better utilize Cogliano more of a challenge than soothing any hurt feelings. As for Smid, well, he had issues before he was tossed into the Heatley package. I'm led to believe he's past what had him contemplating a trade early in the season. He'll get past this.

So must the faithful.

ON THE TELEPHONE

What Tambellini needs to do, and is doing, now is work the phones to fill the holes that are obvious to everybody.

As for left wing on the top line, I'd like to see Tambellini place a call to Pennsylvania and inquire about Simon Gagne or Scott Hartnell. Or maybe he should ring L.A. about Dustin Brown. Alex Tanguay? Not so much.

Nothing that's happened so far has changed the fact Tambellini has assets on the back end he can trade. Denis Grebeshkov going to arbitration is a minor distraction, nothing more.

As for finding a handy, defensive-minded centre who can win face-offs and kill penalties, Manny Malhotra, as I pitched earlier this off-season, remains the best option, even if it'll take an overpay -- like that's stopped the Oilers in the past three seasons.

I'm led to believe Tambellini is looking to make a move to address that need and that, despite being focused on Heatley for weeks, he's kicking some tires. I don't have a name for you, but if he hasn't put a call into Malhotra, I'd be flabbergasted.

Free agent Blair Betts is sitting there, and has said he'd be happy to don Oilers silks. The Oilers have a passing interest, but they already have a centre who can kill penalties and win less than 50 per cent of his face-offs. His name is Gilbert Brule.

COUNT TO 10

I'm not going to take a "don't worry, be happy" stance here because I don't believe that signing Nikolai Khabibulin to a 14-year contract and jettisoning Brodziak to open things up for Brule puts the Oilers into a playoff spot in 2009-10. How much of an upgrade, really, is Khabibulin over Dwayne Roloson?

At the same time, I'm not going to lose any sleep over the swing-and-miss on Heatley, but you already knew that. And, as previously mentioned, I'm not willing to write-off PDP despite all the ragging I've done on him. If Quinn and Renney stroke him the right way, he could shove it to the critics in the coming season. Not likely, but possible.

The challenges we know, as does Tambellini. I'd suggest a step back and a deep breath over the next couple of weeks. Take the kids to Capital Ex. Go to Commonwealth Stadium and boo the Eskimos. Anything.

Let Tambellini do his job.

WHILE I'M AT IT . . .

-- Without face-to-face interaction on the internet, bafflegab has become the secret pinkie handshake among fans on message boards. In addition to nerd-speak like "playing the toughs" and "doing the heavy lifting" and "butter-soft minutes," we get the following lingo from somebody named PDO over at HF Boards in the ongoing debate about the value of acquiring Heatley:
"Yes. We're a better team if he comes here," opines PDO. "Second he goes top cheddar on Luongo we all forget about how long it took to get him here."

Yes, the second Heatley goes "top cheddar" -- a shooter picking the top corner has morphed from going top shelf to top cheese -- on Luongo, I'll be buying his jersey. Can Heatley go "top havarti" or "top feta" on Luongo?

-- While I'm at it, is there room for interpretation of "butter-soft minutes," given the difference in texture between room temperature butter and refrigerator butter?

-- Listen to Robin Brownlee every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. on Just A Game with Jason Gregor on Team 1260.

A sports writer since 1983, including stints at The Edmonton Journal and The Sun 1989-2007, I happily co-host the Jason Gregor Show on TSN 1260 twice a week and write when so inclined. Have the best damn lawn on the internet. Most important, I am Sam's dad. Follow me on Twitter at Robin_Brownlee. Or don't.

After the interview on 630 CHED with Tencer. KP needs to go. What a loser and classless man (i.e. Reddox and the parting shots at him and his agents) How are we ever going to get Omarsk over here when KP is putting down his representatives?

K. Lowe can stay as long as he stays out of Tambo's business and sticks to the wine and cheese parties at Katz's house.

It's been disappointing so far, but I will hold out hope that Tambo can tweak the roster. I believe that all of us who want a quick (Heatley like) fix, are mistaking. We need mgmt to build through youth and smart trades. I was on the heater bandwagon, but now, I want this team to become PROUD again. What is this BullSH1T we've lost all hope. Minor tweaks, let the kids develop and a LONG TERM PLAN.

I don't totally believe what Prendergast had to say, negotiation tactic maybe, but more likely to cut down the drama a tad.

I say they're still courting Heatley, and personally I say we still go after him. Most, but not all, of the Heatley bashing comments sound just like the time we all got dumped by a girlfriend. Lashing back at what a b&%&$& she was as that hopefully keeps my manlihood whole.

Heatley can score goals and I be most of us had him ranked top 5 - 7 in our pool drafts last year because of that. And for that reason, if we can get him, we should get him. As for the brittle locker room, these are men, and if we start to win from scoring a bucket of more goals, that will heal all the wounds.

Gotta tell you though, I am sick of all this drama, all of us know there's a tonne more going on behind the scenes that we'll ever know. And even though its our right as fans to slam management when we lose, they still do know a hell of a lot more and do a much better job than you and I.

I love how being unable to land a superstar instantly sends Oilers fans into "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" panic, dread and despair. The team has been on the verge of a playoff spot without a superstar the past two seasons despite having one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams in the league, especially in key areas last season.

With a new coaching staff, new system and young players growing into their roles, I think '09/'10 will be the most exciting Oilers team we've had since the team that was within a game of the cup, even if no major roster changes are made. I predict break-out seasons for several members of the team, don't forget it usually takes guys 3-4 years in the league before their offensive game comes around, and the Oilers are loaded with offensive potential and a solid backend and one of the top 10, arguably top 5, goalies in the league. Have a little faith! If nothing else, expect these guys to be motivated just to spite Heatley and make him regret not coming on board.

I love how being unable to land a superstar instantly sends Oilers fans into “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” panic, dread and despair. The team has been on the verge of a playoff spot without a superstar the past two seasons despite having one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams in the league, especially in key areas last season.
With a new coaching staff, new system and young players growing into their roles, I think ‘09/’10 will be the most exciting Oilers team we’ve had since the team that was within a game of the cup, even if no major roster changes are made. I predict break-out seasons for several members of the team, don’t forget it usually takes guys 3-4 years in the league before their offensive game comes around, and the Oilers are loaded with offensive potential and a solid backend and one of the top 10, arguably top 5, goalies in the league. Have a little faith! If nothing else, expect these guys to be motivated just to spite Heatley and make him regret not coming on board.

Your sipping the cool-aid bro, I am learning not to get excited about our sports teams before the seasons start. Look at the Oil in the past couple years... even the eskies this year... I know it's early for the eskies, but they clearly have problems... I'll always be a big fan of our city's teams and by no stretch am I a fairweather fan, but I have a tough time believing this Oilers team is shaping up as a plyoff team the way it is... Even if the Boulin Wall gives us a shot to win every night like Roli did... I still want HEATER!!

Robin Brownlee wrote:
My guess is Tambellini has issued a shaddup order, no doubt miffed about the Heatley stuff coming to light.
That would be nice. I know I’m not the only one fed up with this club telegraphing every move they’ll make two weeks in advance.

Why? From a selfish point of view, loose lips and information is the bread and butter of my business. The last thing I'm going to suggest is that a front office guy, a coach, a scout, player or agent keep quiet.
No?

I understand the sentiment that we don't need a "quick fix" for the top line. But shouldn't that hold true for the 3rd line as well?

I really don't get the guys who don't want to make certain trades that may hurt the teams' development, but want a veteran for a 3rd line center.

If you want the team to build from within, do you really want Brule to toil in the minors for another year or two so you can sign Malhotra, Betts, or any other player that 29 other teams haven't signed by now?

Or is the top 6 the area where you want the young guys, and fill the bottom 6 with vets? It's a salary-cap league, and that just won't work.

Tambellini went out and got the TWO best coaches available. We won the O'Sullivan trade, nobody can dispute that. The Horc, Pis, Gilbert, and Nilsson contracts are all overpays, and we are up against the cap. We can't just dump salary. Other teams aren't stupid.

I don't think we can really afford a $2 million plus 3rd line center. Not only that, if we did sign one it would surely be at least a 2 year deal. And that would just add more feathers to the albatross.

I don't understand the criticism of Tambellini. He went and tried to get the best player available. If Heatley is now unavailable, he will try and get the next best player available. What else do you want him to do?

We tried the development route with a third line centre last year. As a result, MacT stuck Pisnai in the role for ten games and then couldn't fill the hole after that didn't work because Brodziak couldn't hack it.

Rookis should force their way past established options - established options should not be ignored in the hopes that a rookie can take a leap forward - at least, not unless you want to field a lottery team.

Why? From a selfish point of view, loose lips and information is the bread and butter of my business. The last thing I’m going to suggest is that a front office guy, a coach, a scout, player or agent keep quiet.
No?

From a selfish point of view, absolutely.

I just know that as GM the only information I'd be happy leaking would be stuff that put the team in the positive light, and I'd be completely silent on my game plan. Too much risk of embarrassment.

1) What do you make of Prendergast’s comments (specifically running out the same team as last year)? Is he out of the loop, talking nonsense, or deviously hoping to attract free agents by talking about how the team doesn’t have them in their plans?

KP is a professional. The only time you give an inside scoop is to:

a) misdirect - attention from ongoing negotiations to fake out other GM's
b) apply pressure - Dany you better make up your mind fast because we're moving on
c) deflect - internal pressure from players who may be on the block but no one wants it leaked
d) weaken competing offers - if the Oilers are out, then competing offers for Dany get softer ... no one likes to over-pay and this may play into the Oilers real desire

Note: KP did not say the deal was off the table. He said the Oilers were going with this line up. Two very different things. I would say that this is pure deflection to stop current Oilers from worrying about being traded and taking the heat out of fan expectations.

Pay attention to who the messenger is: KP not ST. No one can call Steve a liar when he didn't make the comment and KP can plead ignorance of future deals.

on a sidenote, is anyone else missing Jake on the Team in the mornings? No offenses to Jakubeck cuz when he is talking hockey he is alright but anything beyond hockey and the guy has a sour attitude on everything. At least with Jake the conversation and his opinions and views were mostly positive and somehwta humorous. Jakubeck is a bore. IMO

Just as long as I can keep hearing that Gregor speak! He goes on these ridiculus opinionated rants (like he's paid to do) where he comes out looking like a genius because he's getting paid for his opinion - unlike me! Have you seen him on TV (I've got tapes!)? Nice earring guy - wish I had one. He should grow a moustache and dance on a speaker at a gay bar - I would pay good money for that. Good, good money.

This comment edited by your friendly neighborhood administrator, because we felt it sounded better this way.

Oh ya. KP and KL have to go. Tambo you should listen to Quinn over Kevin Slowe. Quinn is not just a ex hockey playing coach he is a very educated man and knows what he is talking about and can bring back the respect the organization needs badly.

Just as long as I don’t hear that bum Gregor speak anymore. He goes on these ridiculus opinionated rants where he comes out looking like a dummy. Have you seen him on TV??? Nice earring guy. He should grow a moustache and dance on a speaker at a gay bar.

Tell us the name of your favorite bar, we'll get Gregor booked in there.

He's gonna be on the #1 PP the whole year. I dont think Quinn will punish Penner and the team by cutting back PP time and burying him on the 4th line.

Penner is the best PP forward we have. They only one who can dominate down low and get in front of the net for Souray's blasts.

MacT is an idiot. Some analysts said, quite smugly, "He wont have to wait long to find work". LMFAO. LMFAO!

Me thinks Reddox on the 1st line, bashing a minor leaguer who played 6 NHL games on TSN, not developing JDD, and various other indiscretions have effectively sealed MacT's fate when it comes to coaching in the NHL again.

I realise 3rd line centre was a disaster last year but I truly think a big part of our problems were caused by MacT. Starting Pisani there was a key component and it went downhill fast from there.
Tell me things wouldnt have been better if MacT had the sense to put Pouliot, Brodz or Brule there and keep them there.
I guess you could argue that is what MacT was trying to do with Cogs but we all know Cogs is weaker defensively than any of the other options. Heck even Penner has played at centre if Im not mistaken and with his size he would have been a better option.
In short a change of coaching truly can fix that position for much cheaper than 2 million.

I'd like to see the Oil go after Dominic Moore ( spelling ? ). I don't like Simon Gagne he's weak and gets hurt all the time. Heatly would have made the first line better but cogs, penner and smid was way to much. Tambo should at least address the media on how he feels about Brian Murray leaking the names we offered. I would be pissed.Tanguany only has played good on the second line over the last couple years , Brown would be great but it would take Souray to get him. Moore, Bonk and Malholtra should all be under two million a season and help the leagues worst PK. Remember the Oilers were in sixth last year till Vish got hurt and Managment should have made a trade then.

The reality is that options for improving our top two lines are limited without taking on additional salary, since the only teams with players that require movement can't take salary back like the Blackhawks, Sharks or Flyers.

That said, most of the options left via free agency are in the 3rd and 4th line roster spots, to which the Oilers also need assistance (namely face-offs).

If Tambellini actually focuses on getting that done, should Healtey be not in the cards, there is no reason to expect he can't make a move. Not doing so tells us he doesn't see a better option than what's on the team now.

I think people are so used to Lowe coming out every year and promising the world and never delivering that having a GM like Tambo who is silent and just goes about his work is driving certain people nuts.

The Flyers will try and sell him on Briere, which would be nice, but Gagne is the best player that may be available via trade other than Heatley. And maybe Lecavalier, but he's been in trade rumors for years and he's probably a lifer in TB.

The trouble I see with the Oilers going for a new 1st line lw is it makes Penner redundant.
Do we really want a 3rd or 4th liner making 4+ million?
The Heatley trade worked because they could take Penners contract but no way Philly or most other teams can take that salary back as they are looking to shed salary not swap it.
This leaves us in a position where we have to give up more of our cheaper/younger players in a trade for another expensive player and we are already in cap hell!
I think unless we can trade Penner we stay put and hope he builds up value over the year.

Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano become RFA’s next year. This is a problem. They are likely to be at least in the $3-3.5 range, and depending on breakout years, possibly 4 +.

You talk about fiscal responsibility on one hand and then offer numbers like this for Gagner and Cogliano? Not a chance either one of them breaks the $3M level next season -- no matter what they do this year.

Actually, I shouldn't say no chance, but with the cap going down, if GMs can't see that offering kids coming off entry level deals four or five or even six years at $3 million-plus a season is insane, then they're in the wrong line of work.
What part of the last three years and these ridiculous "we've got to sign them forever at big money or somebody else will get them" contracts don't they understand?
I'm all for players having the ability to move as UFAs before they're 31, as was the case under the old CBA, but coughing up $15 million over five years to a 21 or 22-year-old is a recipe for financial disaster. Every NHL GM better get that figured out quickly.

The trouble isnt with the GMs its with the fans. GMs spend because in the eyes of most fans spending money equates to improving the team. GMs who dont go crazy on UFA day get criticized and derided for doing nothing kind of like we are doing to Tambo. Everyone wants the big acquisition and because Tambo wont even spend 2 mil on a player like Malhotra he is all of a sudden incompetent.

@DanMan

I agree. Better to let the team field the same line up another year and not make our cap situation worse. Next year we are closer to losing some of the overpaid players so let them go bring in some new cheaper blood and position ourselves better for the long run

Explain the David Krejci contract then. I believe it was 4 years at 3.75 mil cap hit. This is what the market is for RFA's. Kris Versteeg got more than 3 mil. If Gagner gets 60-70 points this year, that becomes a comparable.

@ Hemmertime:
Yeah, thanks buddy, appreciate that. I'm sitting on my deck watching the fire go by after packing all our keepsakes and consoling my daughters. Radio is on waiting to see if we're being evacuated and your making comments like that. By the way, I just saw another house go up in flames. Heatleys house is about 10 km north of fire, so yes he may be evacuated too, hope that makes you feel good

@ West Coast Oil:
I'm sure you're right, but gotta call him on it anyways. Been like a war zone here with all the smoke and water bombers everywhere. Sure brings back memories of watching the major fire across the lake in 2003. Thought I'd. Take a break and talk hockey for a bit. Maybe a little sensitive reading that

Im on a blackberry as well and agreed it has its chalenges. I hope everything works out for you. Last winter when parts of Vancouver flooded we got hit and that was bad enough so I cant imagine what its like for you.
So lets talk hockey then. :)

@ Wyseguy:
Nah, don't normally participate in schadenfreude; just use the material available. You're in unfortunate scenario, sucks - but we don't know each other. If I was raped by 3 stress wise tranny's that would suck for me, but guarantee you wouldn't truly care - and would likely use material for a one liner or two